Check out the Ministry for Culture and Heritage's audio guide to Rangiātea church in the Video tab.

In 1995 New Zealand was shocked by the arson attack that destroyed Ōtaki’s beautiful Rangiātea church. Ornately decorated with Māori kōwhaiwhai patterns and tukutuku panelling, the church – built in the 1840s – symbolised Māori and European desires to live peacefully. A replica of the destroyed building was completed in 2003.

Archival audio sourced from Radio New Zealand Sound Archives. Sound files may not be reused without permission from Radio New Zealand Sound Archives (Reference number sa-tx-3351-pm).

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Roadside Stories are a series of audio guides to places of interest on major road trips in New Zealand. Each guide tells the story of an attraction along the way – its people, its history, its cultural and natural significance. For more information about Roadside Stories visit http://www.mch.govt.nz/roadside/